Mia had just arrived home. Her body felt exhausted, her mind overwhelmed after a long day buried under piles of never-ending work. All the financial problems of RIC Group were now on her shoulders—and she barely had room to breathe.
But just as she opened the front door, an unwelcome sight greeted her: her father's new family—Agnes included—was already gathered in the living room. From their expressions, it was clear they had been waiting for her for quite some time.
Mia paused. But without saying a single word, she walked straight toward her room, pretending not to notice their presence.
"Mia, come here," called Jerry Xiao, her father, his tone firm.
Mia let out a soft scoff, then turned around and sat on the couch, her face clearly showing displeasure.
"I want to ask you something," Jerry said, trying to control his emotions.
"Why have you been so rude and hostile to your sister?"
Mia gave a bitter chuckle. "Me? Hostile?" she said, pointing at herself. "Before you blame me, why don't you ask what really happened first? Ask your precious daughter—what exactly she did that made me act like that!"
"Agnes was being rude?" Jerry asked in disbelief.
"She took my money. Openly! Isn't that rude?" Mia snapped, turning a sharp glare toward Agnes, who sat calmly as if she had done nothing wrong.
"It's just money, Mia. Something small. You could've just given it to her. No need to make a fuss," Jerry replied flatly.
Mia's eyes widened. "Maybe to you, it's small. But not to me! If you truly want peace in this house, then teach your favorite daughter how to show respect to her elder sister!"
She stood up, her emotions on the verge of exploding. "If she can't treat me with respect, don't expect me to be nice to her."
She slammed her hand on the table, the loud sound silencing everyone in the room.
"And from now on," she continued coldly, "don't blame me if I start treating a family that never saw me as one of their own… like strangers."
Without waiting for a response, Mia walked away, leaving behind a tense, frozen room.
Jerry Xiao was furious. His daughter had just shouted and slammed the table in front of the whole family. Anger burned in his chest. Without thinking, he stormed after Mia, who had just left the living room.
He stopped right in front of her door. Just as Mia was about to shut it, Jerry grabbed her wrist with a firm grip.
"We're not done talking, Mia!" he snapped, his voice sharp with tension.
Mia tried to pull her hand away, but his grip was unrelenting. "What else is there to say? Let me guess—more about your precious daughter?" she sneered, her eyes full of scorn.
Jerry ignored the remark. "I want you to apologize to Agnes. You slapped your sister so hard she fell to the floor. That's unacceptable!"
Mia winced, trying to free her wrist. "I... should apologize?" she asked in disbelief.
"She should be the one apologizing! She stole from me! And you did nothing!"
"Mia!" Jerry barked.
But Mia had had enough. With all her strength, she yanked her arm free from his grip.
"Listen carefully!" she shouted. "I will never apologize to someone who dares take what's mine! And one more thing…"
Her gaze turned icy, sharp as a blade.
"I don't acknowledge her as my sister. She's not my family."
In one swift motion, Mia opened her door and slammed it shut behind her.
SLAM!!
Jerry stood frozen. Rage boiled in his chest. His breathing was heavy, furious. Never before had his daughter dared to slam a door in his face.
Behind the now tightly shut door, Mia leaned against it weakly, clutching her wrist that still throbbed with pain. But the ache in her heart was far deeper than any physical bruise—it was about pride, old wounds, and the love she had never received from her father.
Jerry's emotions were at their peak. He stood frozen in front of Mia's door, his chest rising and falling with restrained fury.
"Why has she become so defiant?" he murmured, as if speaking to his own shadow. "Back then… when she was little, Mia always listened to me. Now, I barely recognize her."
A flicker of a memory passed through his mind—the little girl who used to cling to his hand when she was scared, who cheerfully called him "Daddy." That girl had now turned into a young woman with sharp eyes and a voice unafraid to fight back.
As he drowned in thought, a gentle tap on his shoulder startled him.
"Let it go, Hon," said Yanti softly, though a subtle sarcasm laced her voice.
"Mia's an adult now. Maybe it's because she lived too long in the countryside… she's forgotten how to behave properly. Life in the wild makes people wild too."
Her words pierced deep, like oil poured on already burning coals.
Agnes chimed in, her voice sickly sweet.
"Yeah, Dad. Maybe she just got used to that free lifestyle over there. So… it makes sense if she doesn't understand family manners anymore."
Jerry let out a long sigh, nodding slowly.
"I don't know. I'm tired. I'm going to my room. My eyes are heavy."
He turned to leave, but his steps were halted by Agnes' sugary voice.
"Dad…" she cooed, clinging to his arm. "My friend's birthday party is this weekend. Can I bring Sis with me?"
Jerry frowned.
"Maybe… if she comes, we could finally get along. Besides, she rarely socializes. It might help her meet new people, make friends, and… stop being so sensitive," Agnes added with a sweet smile, laced with false innocence.
Jerry paused, studying his daughter's face—so innocent on the surface, yet full of hidden intentions.
"You really are Daddy's thoughtful girl…" he murmured, stroking her head affectionately.
"Take your sister with you. Maybe you're right—spending time together might actually improve your relationship."
Agnes smiled in triumph. But behind that smile… lay something carefully hidden. That birthday party wasn't just a party. Behind that invitation, there was another plan—one known only to her and Yanti.
Agnes, glowing with satisfaction after getting her father's permission, rushed to get dressed. Her dress was tight, showing off her curves, her makeup bold—designed to captivate every glance… and intentionally outshine.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knockkk…
The knocking came from behind Mia's door. The wooden door creaked slightly as Mia opened it just a little, wanting to know who dared disturb her rest.
Her face appeared in the narrow gap, eyes sharp and piercing, like a hawk ready to strike.
"What do you want?" she asked flatly, cold.
"Here to stir up drama again? Or looking for a new fight?"
She leaned lazily against the doorway.
"Get to the point. I don't have time for small talk—especially not with someone like you."
Agnes swallowed hard. Her smile was stiff, but she forced it to remain sweet.
"Sis… don't be so mean. I just came to ask if you'd come with me to my best friend's birthday party. I know I'm just your stepsister, but we're still family, right?" she said, feigning affection as she reached for Mia's hand.
Mia scoffed, brushing the hand away calmly.
"I said no. I'm tired. So please, don't disturb my rest."
Agnes pouted, putting on a pleading expression.
"Sis, please…"
"I said NO means NO!" Mia snapped, about to slam the door again—
But suddenly…
"STOP, MIA!"
A deep, stern voice cut through the hallway. Jerry stood at the end, his face tense.
"Mia, you shouldn't treat your sister like that," he said sharply.
Mia sighed, trying to keep her rising anger at bay.
"I'm only asking you to go with her this once. Maybe… spending time together could help you two reconcile," Jerry continued, his voice full of pressure.
Mia stared at her father in silence. Then her gaze shifted to Agnes—who now wore a fake sweet smile, hiding her true intentions behind a facade of sisterly love.
"…Fine," Mia said coldly. "Just for tonight. After that, don't expect me to waste time on things that don't matter."
Agnes beamed in satisfaction. Jerry nodded with relief. But Mia? She closed her door softly… and let out a long, tired sigh.
A few minutes later, Mia stepped out of her room. She wore a simple yet elegant outfit—a long dark skirt and a modest long-sleeved top, with light makeup that highlighted her natural beauty.
Agnes gave her a quick glance and smirked.
"Didn't expect you could still look that good, Sis," she said with a veiled insult.
Mia responded with a cold glance.
"I don't dress up to please anyone."
Now, the two stepsisters walked out of the house together.
But peace wasn't what awaited them that night…
It was the beginning of a deceitful scheme—one of them was fully aware…
and the other was still bleeding.
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